72/6. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 5480 — Dog Keeping and Good Deeds
A (pet) dog
Hadith About Keeping Dogs: When Dog Ownership Has Limits
Sahih Bukhari : 5480
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 5480
حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ بْنُ مُسْلِمٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ دِينَارٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ ابْنَ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " مَنِ اقْتَنَى كَلْبًا لَيْسَ بِكَلْبِ مَاشِيَةٍ أَوْ ضَارِيَةٍ، نَقَصَ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ مِنْ عَمَلِهِ قِيرَاطَانِ ".
Ibn 'Umar Narrated from:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Whoever keeps a (pet) dog which is neither a watch dog nor a hunting dog, will get a daily deduction of two Qirat from his good deeds."
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 5480In-book reference : Book 72, Hadith 6USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 7, Book 67, Hadith 389
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 5480
This hadith about keeping dogs gives a clear warning about keeping a dog without a stated need. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم mentions a dog that is not for guarding or hunting, and the result is a daily deduction of two Qirat from a person’s good deeds. The main point is not to treat a serious matter as casual. In the wording, dogs used for real work, such as a watch dog or a hunting dog, are treated differently from a pet kept without that need. So the lesson is simple: choices around animals, even at home, are part of a believer’s religious care. A Muslim should think about purpose, reward, and responsibility before keeping a dog.
What we learn from this hadith
- Keeping a dog without the stated needs is warned against in the hadith.
- The hadith names guarding and hunting as exceptions.
- Good deeds can be affected by daily choices that may seem ordinary.
- Muslims are taught to connect animal ownership with purpose and responsibility.
